210: Chapter 90 A Prodigy? Just Basic Skills

"Let Brother Jing leave tomorrow? Dad, you're not trying to send him away again, are you?"

Seeing Huang Rong doubt him, Medicine Master Huang's face darkened, but he found it hard to refute, as he had a prior record of setting a trap to send Guo Jing away.

Seeing this, Hong Qi couldn't help but twist the knife: "Old Evil Huang, that's what you get for going back on your word! Now that you're telling the truth, even your daughter doesn't believe you."

Medicine Master Huang gave a cold snort.

Hong Qi didn't press his advantage but turned to Huang Rong and said, "You little imp, your father is telling the truth this time. The Old Imp and I are witnesses. If he breaks his word again, the Old Imp and I will help you teach him a lesson."

Upon hearing about teaching Medicine Master Huang a lesson, Old Imp, who was catching butterflies nearby, immediately responded: "That's right, the Old Beggar and I will help you spank Old Evil Huang's bottom."

Medicine Master Huang glared at him.

Old Imp instantly cowered.

Huang Rong's eyes darted around, and she said, "How about this: I'll leave with Brother Jing and the others tomorrow. I'm bored staying on the island anyway."

Medicine Master Huang wanted to object, but Hong Qi interrupted him first: "That works too. It just so happens I want to eat your cooking for a few more days."

"Old Evil, just consider it this little girl showing filial piety to me, her Master."

Then, he changed the subject: "Didn't you say you had something to discuss with Young Hero Meng? Go ahead, he's been standing here for quite a while."

Meng Li was watching the drama unfold with Mu Nianci and was stunned to hear this.

Medicine Master Huang had business with him?

What business?

The next second, Medicine Master Huang spoke: "Young Hero Meng, I heard from Ronger that you like to collect Martial Arts. I wonder what you think of my Peach Blossom Island's Martial Arts?"

Meng Li replied, "They are unique and peerlessly exquisite."

This was no exaggeration; the Martial Arts of Peach Blossom Island formed their own system and were indeed unique.

In terms of power, there were many in this world that could rival them. But if comparing the exquisiteness of similar types of Martial Arts, there were almost none that could be mentioned in the same breath.

More importantly, the Martial Arts of Peach Blossom Island had poetic names and were performed with elegance and fluidity, full of aesthetic beauty!

Hearing Meng Li's assessment, Medicine Master Huang smiled.

Neither Hong Qi nor Old Imp refuted it.

Then, Medicine Master Huang said, "In that case, how about I make a deal with you?"

Meng Li narrowed his eyes and smiled. "Does the Island Master wish to exchange Peach Blossom Island's Martial Arts for the Nine Yin Manual - Upper Volume?"

Medicine Master Huang nodded and then asked, "I wonder what the young hero thinks?"

Meng Li said, "It's possible, but the Nine Yin Manual - Upper Volume has twelve parts in total, each of which is considered a unique technique on its own. If the Island Master wants to exchange for all of them, you would need to provide twelve techniques of equal caliber that I haven't learned yet. That won't be easy."

Medicine Master Huang did a quick mental calculation and found this to be somewhat difficult.

It wasn't that he didn't know enough Martial Arts, but a matter of quality.

Peach Blossom Island's Martial Arts were all good, but they varied in level.

For example, the Bibo Palm Technique was created in his early years and was considered Entry-Level among Peach Blossom Island's Martial Arts; its power and exquisiteness were far inferior to the Air-Splitting Palm and the Luoying Divine Sword Palm.

As for passing off inferior goods as superior...

With Medicine Master Huang's pride, he couldn't bring himself to do it.

Meng Li's Martial Arts were not inferior to his own, and he would easily see through it.

Finally, Medicine Master Huang said, "Young Hero Meng, could you briefly introduce the twelve parts of the Nine Yin Manual - Upper Volume so I can exchange for them as I see fit?"

"Of course."

Meng Li readily agreed and began to introduce the twelve techniques, including the Nine Yin General Principles and the Great Beidou Method.

Since it was just a brief introduction and not formal instruction, no one present felt the need to avoid listening.

After Meng Li finished, Medicine Master Huang couldn't help but sigh, "As expected of the Nine Yin Manual, its content is truly all-encompassing."

Hong Qi smacked his lips and said, "The contents are quite diverse and complex. For the founder to have mastered them all to a high level is truly impressive."

Medicine Master Huang nodded in agreement.

These twelve techniques were only the contents of the Upper Volume; The Lower Volume of the Nine Yin Manual also contained many Martial Arts.

Combined, the content was indeed vast, and every technique within had its own exquisite and unique qualities.

Even with his vast knowledge, it would be difficult for him to Master all these techniques to a high level.

For Huang Shang to have done so was indeed remarkable.

He couldn't help but be impressed.

After expressing his admiration, Medicine Master Huang began to consider which parts to exchange for, then discussed the trade with Meng Li, and then...

He was shocked!

Finger Flickering Technique, Air-Splitting Palm, Jade Flute Swordplay, Luoying Divine Sword, Orchid Brushing Acupoint Hand...

These exquisite Peach Blossom Island Martial Arts, Meng Li learned after seeing them once and could use them proficiently by the second time.

Even Medicine Master Huang's signature techniques, the Azure Sea Rising Tide Melody and the Luoying Divine Sword Palm, were the same.

Medicine Master Huang was secretly alarmed as he watched.

Hong Qi, watching from a distance, was even more amazed.

"I, the Old Beggar, finally understand why this kid's Martial Arts are enough to stand alongside us old-timers at such a young age. Learning once to know it, twice to Master it—learning Martial Arts is like eating and drinking for him. He's simply a Prodigy!"

As he spoke, he recalled the situation when Guo Jing first learned the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms and suddenly felt that comparisons are enough to make one want to die.

Guo Jing also praised, "Elder Brother Meng is truly amazing!"

Huang Rong also said, "Indeed. If I weren't certain it was his first time, I would have thought he had learned these Martial Arts before."

She had the ability of photographic memory and was clever, but remembering and learning were two different things; being clever didn't necessarily mean one could learn Martial Arts quickly or well.

Listening to these words, Mu Nianci's eyes curved into crescents, and the corners of her mouth couldn't stop turning up.

Huang Rong noticed this and couldn't help but tease, "Sister Mu, tone down your expression. If you keep smiling like that, flowers will bloom on your face."

Mu Nianci gave her a playful glare, and her smile subsided slightly.

By the time dusk fell, Meng Li had basically learned all the Martial Arts of Peach Blossom Island.

Later, Medicine Master Huang even taught some basic Qimen Arts.

In return, Meng Li spoke about some Mechanical Trap Techniques.

Medicine Master Huang was somewhat inspired after hearing this and decided to find an opportunity to make some adjustments to the layout of Peach Blossom Island.

Meng Li knew full well that while the other party did this partly out of joy at discovering something new, there was also a defensive factor. Ouyang Ke had borrowed the Master map of Peach Blossom Island; while this might not necessarily cause trouble for Medicine Master Huang, it was nonetheless a potential hidden danger.

If Medicine Master Huang didn't make adjustments in time, once his home was infiltrated, even if no one was hurt, it would be disgusting.

In the original story, Ouyang Feng and Yang Kang were able to easily sneak into Peach Blossom Island, set a trap to kill the Five Freaks of Jiangnan, and frame Medicine Master Huang—this was a perfect example.

...

The next morning.

Meng Li and his group arrived at the ferry crossing.

Meng Li led Mu Nianci onto his own boat.

Old Imp, however, pointed to another grand-looking boat and said, "I want to take that boat."

Medicine Master Huang frowned and said, "That boat hasn't been repaired yet; you can't take it. Otherwise, if something goes wrong halfway, you'll probably end up feeding the sharks."

Hearing such severe consequences, Old Imp immediately changed his mind: "Then I won't take it."

With that, he leaped onto the boat where Meng Li was.

Hong Qi shook his head with a smile and hurriedly followed suit.

Next were Huang Rong and Guo Jing.

Seeing this, Meng Li smiled silently.

In the original story, because Old Imp was afraid of snakes, he insisted on taking the unrepaired boat, which led to trouble halfway through. Guo Jing, Huang Rong, and the others, along with Ouyang Feng and his son, ended up drifting at sea and being stranded on a deserted island.

Now, he had intervened slightly and avoided that ordeal.

A few days later, the group returned to the mainland without any trouble and went their separate ways according to the situation...